Augmented reality mural street artists use BrandXR to enhance art

Popko’s piece, “Trail Blazer” in Sterling Heights sits on the wall of Ventimiglia Italian Foods.

It is one of eight featured artworks being shown across Michigan as part of the Electrifly Detroit Augmented Reality Mural Festival.

The rest include several pieces in Detroit, along with two each in Ann Arbor and Battle Creek, as well as Popko’s in Sterling Heights.

At first glance, Popko’s augmented reality mural appears to be a summer-y scene, showing kids playing soccer, riding bikes and walking a rainbow trail.

However, through Electrifly’s mobile app, visitors can interact and play a game that counts the number of times they can bounce that soccer ball back to the players

The colors pop off the wall and create a much more immersive experience for passersby.

The cyclists on the trail do, indeed, cycle along the rainbow trail.

As for working with BrandXR’s Electrifly team, Popko said it was a smooth experience.

“They are really good guys,” she said.

Popko shared a story of how the owner of Ventimiglia, a man in his 60’s, received lessons from BrandXR CEO Mahmoud “Moody” Mattan.

Mattan patiently showed him how to download the app and the cool things he could do with it.

“It was the coolest thing ever,” she said. “It was a beautiful moment. To see the building owner with his apron on, and he’s all gray-haired, and just giggling. It was incredible.”

Popko said she constantly sees high school kids stop by the artwork to take a picture with it.

From the Electrifly side, art has become one of the best venues through which to demonstrate to the general public how augmented reality murals can beatify a community. 

The high-tech addition brings centuries-old techniques into the 2020s smoothly and allows artists to express themselves through this new medium.

Augmented reality murals also help showcase the endless possibilities of AR in an accessible setting, said BrandXR CEO Mahmoud "Moody" Mattan.

“Augmented Reality Murals are content creation machines that drive traffic to specific businesses or local landmarks, it’s been incredible to see how brands and cities have latched onto the concept," he said. 

As for the idea of “public art,” Popko said she loves how the attitude that revolves around that term has changed.

“We have gone from viewing tagged buildings as urban blight to appreciating the artistic skill and beauty that community art brings to neighborhoods,” she said. “We’ve gone from feeling the need to cover up imagery associated with graffiti to celebrating it, appreciating it and embracing the visions.”